“Of course.” When I was about to walk past him, he stopped me.“Suman,”
I turned to face him.“Ji, Ranaji,”
He removed an expensive necklace from around his neck and extended his hand toward me.
“This is for you,” he said, and I felt a shiver run of a shock rush down my spine. Something struck me hard.
Sweat pooled in my palm as I cautiously extended my hand and watched him place the necklace into it.
It felt heavy. But the reality felt heavier.
For the past few days, I had seen myself as more than a maid.
“You took great care of Nandani,” he said.
I bit my lower lip, suddenly at a loss for words, and replied,“It’s my job and responsibility.” My voice came out shaky.
“Also,” he continued,“if you see Agastya, please tell him to let me know before he leaves for anywhere.”
I nodded slowly and turned to walk away.
My pace slowed, and my mind felt tense with all the memories and thoughts of the last four years.
I was a maid, just a maid. Why did I act like something more for the previous few days?
Once I entered Kunwar Agastya’s chamber, I called out,“Kunwar Agastya!”
I waited and heard from the other side,“Come in.”
As I took a few steps into the chamber, I found him sitting on the couch in the bedchamber, holding rolled letters in his hand with an inkpot beside him. The lamp illuminated his surroundings, although the room’s corners remained dim.
Kneeling, I placed the plate in front of him.
“Did you taste it?” he asked, and I shook my head absentmindedly. My fingers clutched the beaded necklace.
“It’s only for the royals,” I said.
He dipped his finger and sucked the tip, then shook his head.“You forgot to add sugar,” he said.
It wasn’t possible. I shook my head in disbelief.“No, I didn’t,” I retorted.
He dipped his finger again and looked at me, pushing his finger closer.“Taste yourself,” he offered, and I didn’t know what came to mind. Without a second thought, I tasted it off his finger, and my eyes widened as I realised what I had just done.
What?
“Um… I’m really… sorry.” I stuttered.
He wiggled his eyebrows with a faint smile.“Ah, royal, huh?” he teased, and I immediately rose.
I shouldn’t be here.
Turning on my heels, I ran away.
“Aye, Suno.”“Aye, listen.” I heard his voice in the distance, but turning a deaf ear, I dashed back to my room and closed the door behind me.
I sat on the floor, pulling my knees closer to my chest. Leaning on my knees, I let my emotions and memories flow freely through my mind.
When I married my husband at sixteen, I was a young girl, unaware of what to expect from him. Yet, in the back of my mind, I held an image of him as a cheerful, loving, and supportive man who would take an interest in nurturing my desire for knowledge. However, as days passed, the tearing of my clothes from my body caused my dreams to leave my soul.
